A novel speech processing algorithm based on harmonicity cues in cochlear implant

This paper proposed a novel speech processing algorithm in cochlear implant, which used harmonicity cues to enhance tonal information in Mandarin Chinese speech recognition. The input speech was filtered by a 4-channel band-pass filter bank. The frequency ranges for the four bands were: 300-621, 621-1285, 1285-2657, and 2657-5499 Hz. In each pass band, temporal envelope and periodicity cues (TEPCs) below 400 Hz were extracted by full wave rectification and low-pass filtering. The TEPCs were modulated by a sinusoidal carrier, the frequency of which was fundamental frequency (F0) and its harmonics most close to the center frequency of each band. Signals from each band were combined together to obtain an output speech. Mandarin tone, word, and sentence recognition in quiet listening conditions were tested for the extensively used continuous interleaved sampling (CIS) strategy and the novel F0-harmonic algorithm. Results found that the F0-harmonic algorithm performed consistently better than CIS strategy in M...